Chris Sutton’s latest observation about Martin O’Neill’s recent media activity shows exactly where Celtic are at the moment.
Nerves are building ahead of the biggest game of the season this weekend when the Hoops face Hearts at Tynecastle where only a win will do in the title race.
New signing Tomas Cvancara could make his debut after Celtic finally managed to get a striker through the door, but it does feel like it is papering over the cracks.
O’Neill has always been an optimistic character, and great value for a soundbite when it comes to speaking to the press, but even he appears to be feeling the effect of things according to Sutton.
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Chris Sutton says Martin O’Neill’s ‘one-liners’ have disappeared
The former Celtic striker, who worked under the 73-year-old, knows him better than others but has noticed that his media duties have quietened down of late.
Writing in his Daily Record column, he said: “I did notice some of the one-liners had disappeared as he addressed the media prior to the match in Italy, which may tell you a story of its own over how he’s feeling about the slug-like transfer business.
“He is still waiting for more arrivals which are still clearly needed and Martin is going to have to pitch a striker straight into a huge game hoping, rather than knowing, he can cope.”
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Martin O’Neill’s interviews have changed drastically since first spell
During his first spell in charge of the Bhoys, O’Neill knew that he only had to focus on the games so could afford to put all of his efforts into that.
After agreeing to return, things changed as he was now tasked with bringing in players.
Not only has this exposed how difficult it is to work with the Celtic board, it has backed up the points of managers who have been here before him.
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